Berd ( (Berd, berdapar), "Fortress") is an Armenian dance which originates from the ancient Armenian province of Vaspurakan of the ancient kingdom of Armenia. The dance was part of the old Armenian game "óôâÃ¥éáÃÂáò (Gmbetakhagh)".
About
During the dance dancers wear only traditional Armenian dress (, taraz). The central objective of the dance is to create a fortress, which is a 2-storey human wall. In order to achieve this, dancers stand on top of each other's shoulders.
Structure of the Dance
- Formation: Two circles of dancers, one standing on the shoulders of the other, linked tightly by arms.
- Movement: The double circle rotates steadily, giving the impression of a moving fortress.
- Music: Typically performed to zurna and dhol (traditional reed and drum), with a strong, martial rhythm.
- Gender roles: Traditionally male; contemporary stage versions sometimes include mixed groups for visual effect.
Transmission and Performance
- In village contexts, Berd was performed at festivals and weddings, often as a demonstration of collective strength.
- Because of the risk involved, the dance was not done casually â it was reserved for occasions requiring a show of stamina and unity.
- Stage adaptation began in the Soviet era, when folk ensembles started presenting regional dances in theaters. Safety adaptations (training, reinforced grips) made repeated performance possible.
Ensembles and Modern Context
- The Berd Dance Ensemble(founded 1963 in Yerevan by Boris Gevorgyan) made the Berd dance its signature stage piece, and the ensemble itself was named after it.
- Armenian State Dance Ensemble, and other ensembles as well have staged Berd, often closing concerts with it as a dramatic highlight.
- In the diaspora, groups in the United States, Lebanon, and France regularly present Berd in cultural festivals, usually in adapted or shortened versions.
See also
References